Sudhanshu Rai: Deep down, I still see myself as a storyteller first

Actor, filmmaker, and storyteller Sudhanshu Rai believes storytelling has always been at the heart of everything he does. Known for projects like Detective Boomrah and Chaipatti, along with his inspiring Dreamers series, Sudhanshu says his creative journey began long before acting or filmmaking entered the picture.

“Honestly, storytelling has always been the starting point for me. Before acting and filmmaking happened, I was already narrating and writing stories,” he shares. “Cinema came later because I was fascinated by the idea of bringing my imagination to life visually and making people actually see and feel it on screen.”

Despite working across multiple creative mediums, Sudhanshu says his identity remains rooted in storytelling. “Deep down, I still see myself as a storyteller first,” he says, adding that he is especially drawn to stories that leave a lasting emotional impact. “I love bringing stories of people who have achieved extraordinary things because such journeys stay with you. They inspire you, shape your thinking, and sometimes even help you deal with different phases of life.”

Interestingly, the process of narrating these stories inspires him personally as well. “Somewhere while telling these stories, I find myself getting inspired too—to push harder, dream bigger, and keep chasing my own goals,” he says.

On the acting front, Sudhanshu reveals that he has long wanted to explore darker, more psychologically intense characters. “I’ve always wanted to play someone who has a very strong impact, even though the character is negative because of his actions,” he shares. According to him, the role he is currently working on is unlike anything he has attempted before.

“What excites me is that this isn’t the kind of character people have seen often. Even for me as an actor, it feels completely new,” he explains. “The idea is to create someone whose presence alone feels disturbing—the kind of character that stays in your mind and almost feels like a nightmare once he appears on screen.”

For Sudhanshu, roles like these are creatively fulfilling because they demand emotional and mental depth. “As an actor, characters like these push you mentally and emotionally, and that’s something I’ve wanted to experience for a long time,” he concludes.